Map of France showing where the Davos arms are recorded
The Davos arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Davos arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Davos Family in France
The family name Davos traces its roots to the rugged landscape of Bretagne, where records confirm the presence of the family as early as 1725. During this period, families in the region were deeply connected to the land and often identified by their specific parish or local trade. The name likely evolved from regional dialects common in northwestern France, reflecting the linguistic shifts that occurred as families moved between rural villages and growing coastal towns. Life in eighteenth-century Bretagne was defined by strong community ties and agricultural traditions, which helped shape the identity of the Davos family as they established their presence in the local historical record. By documenting their lives through parish registers and land deeds, these early ancestors ensured that their family name remained a part of the regional history of France for generations to come.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
d'Avos
Derived from a locative reference to a place called Avos.
This name
DavosA topographic surname indicating origin from a specific settlement or valley location.
also spelled
Davoux
Davoo
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Ogée, Jean, Dictionnaire historique et géographique de la province de Bretagne, 1778
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
